Your 8th graders and I are going to be reading Ray Bradbury's 1953 science-fiction dystopian novel titled Fahrenheit 451. The unit will last approximately four weeks, and it will overlap our continued OAA-prep and Word Wisdom units. Fahrenheit 451 reflects Bradbury's views and influences of the time period in which it was written: a post-WWII time period where televisions were just starting to emerge as a "staple" in every American family home, and where programs displayed on those TVs were affected by talk of "Mccarthyism". Ironically, the very book whose message was against censorship, has in turn appeared on several banned book lists. To learn more about the content of the book, and why it was banned from some schools, please visit the links below. I hope that you'll consider grabbing a copy for yourself and reading it with us!
Source: Common Sense Media. About the source: According to its mission statement, "Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology." Link:http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/fahrenheit-451
Why was the book banned?
Short Answer: its use of language (particulary the word "d**n"); the burning of books (including a Bible)
April 8, 2013
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Your 8th graders and I are going to be reading Ray Bradbury's 1953 science-fiction dystopian novel titled Fahrenheit 451. The unit will last approximately four weeks, and it will overlap our continued OAA-prep and Word Wisdom units. Fahrenheit 451 reflects Bradbury's views and influences of the time period in which it was written: a post-WWII time period where televisions were just starting to emerge as a "staple" in every American family home, and where programs displayed on those TVs were affected by talk of "Mccarthyism". Ironically, the very book whose message was against censorship, has in turn appeared on several banned book lists. To learn more about the content of the book, and why it was banned from some schools, please visit the links below. I hope that you'll consider grabbing a copy for yourself and reading it with us!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tolin
References for Concerned Parents/Guardians:
About the source: Book Angles provides "Book Reviews with a family-values angle":
Link: http://bookangles.com/Fahrenheit451/tabid/149/Default.aspx *Warning: Spoiler Alert* for students!
About the source: According to its mission statement, "Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology."
Link: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/fahrenheit-451
Why was the book banned?
A "60 Second Recap" about Bradbury's #1 Theme: Censorship, and what his book says about it: